Luxe Moments

Memories of recent programs and events.

Everything You Wanted to Know About Wine but Were Too Afraid to Ask

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Many of us have more than a passing interest in wine. We’re more than quaffers, but still essentially novices when it comes to the nuances of taste, varietal distinction and food pairing, not to mention the complexities of production, distribution and storage. We crave information, not to the extent that we aspire to be Master Sommeliers, but certainly more than the summary learning that one receives from the tasting room experience.

This year, The Luxury Marketing Council of San Francisco conductws a program devoted specifically to wine, but one that represented a radical departure from the regular meeting and event format, with individual presentations  made by experienced winemakers and wine educators from leading Napa and Sonoma wineries and estates.

Photography by Jay Cellini (415-386-3130)

120 Council members and guests gathered at The City Club for a wine-instruction program featuring 7 winery members of the Council

Karl Wente, 5th Generation Winemaker (Wente Family Estates)

Hollis Price (J Vineyards & Winery)

Mike Lucia, Assistant Winemaker, Goldeneye (Duckhorn Wine Company)

Larry Stone, General Manager & Master Sommelier (Rubicon Estate)

Discount or Die?

To Discount or not to Discount—Pros, Cons and Other Strategies

August 26, 2009

Since October of 2008, in what most are calling the deepest recession since the great Depression, a rash of radical discounting initiatives by a number of major luxury players has caused considerable controversy.

To discount or not to discount…that’s the question. And it leads to a series of important marketing implications which ultimately affect the long-term viability and sustainability of the brand. A distinguished panel of experienced luxury retailers, consultants and industry veterans met with council members to discuss pros, cons and other strategies.

Photography by Jay Cellini (415-386-3130)

Nancy Zerella (Zerella Designs) with Dudley Miller ( Muratore)

Bronwyn Dickson Ney, HALL wines

Kenneth Winn (Merrill Lynch) being served by Ed Curry (HALL Wines)

Event host, Sonya Winterhalder from The Examiner

Phil Garrett (Mercedes Smart Car) hands over the keys for a complimentary weekend use of a Smart Car to John Brantley (Gumps)

The meeting room at the Soma Grand where Council members & guests gathered for the business meeting

Panelists...Andrew Stark (The Examiner) Dr. Peter Sealey (The Sausalito Group) Karla Martin (Booz & Co) & Adi Simayof (Simayof)

The 2nd Annual Steinway Piano Tasting

June 10, 2009

An exclusive event featuring luxurious stimuli for the mind, ear and palate. With the aid of concert pianist and Steinway Artist Stephen Swedish, we compared the unique “personalities” of six Steinway pianos from upright to concert grand, while pairing each with an appropriately sumptuous choice from a portfolio of Rubicon Estate wines. Selections from Cathay Pacific’s highly-acclaimed in-flight cuisine, rounded out the experience.

The incomparable melding of concert artistry, the world’s finest pianos and Napa’s premier wines, made this an evening of rare emotional connection that last year brought tears of pleasure to the eyes. It’s the quintessential symphony for your senses.

The event was held at the Sherman Clay showroom on Mission Street.

Photography by Jay Cellini (415-386-3130)

A member of the Cathay Pacific Team presents delectable treats

Lamar Engel (Rubicon Estate) pouring for Catharina Swanstrom (Pacific Union GMAC Real Estate)

Dudley Miller, Cindy Bayon & Tanya Arcelona of Muratore Corporation

Dennis Owen (Cathay Pacific) with Stefanie Nourse & Jacqueline Friend (J Vineyards & Winery)

Members and guests enjoy conversation and the ambiance of the Sherman Clay showroom

The Cathay Pacific services team

Stephen Swedish, renowned concert pianist played a symphony for our ears

Luxe Goes Sensual

May 26, 2009

Sex is big business. An industry traditionally branded by seedy surrounds, furtive gestures and avoided eyes has now gone mainstream. And if sex and sensuality sell, the luxury versions are selling at a faster-growing and more profitable rate.

A panel of experts, all of whom are at the forefront in the marketing of high-end sensual products and services discussed the changing mores and buying behavior of the affluent American consumer when it comes to matters sensual, and delivers insight into the marketing of intensely-personal products and services for which traditional strategies are not always appropriate or effective.

Hosted by Teatro Zinzanni with a special appearance by Zinzanni artists

Photography by Jay Cellini (415-386-3130)

The Teatro Zinzanni team

Tonia Lare (Salon Mark Carlos) Marty Bautista (Frank Howard Allen Realtors), Geraldine Nuval of My Boudoir Lingerie

Panelists, TJ Bartel, Joy Nordenstrom of Joy of Romance, Ethan Imboden of JimmyJane & Geraldine Nuval of My Boudoir Lingerie

Retail and Hospitality Gone Wild

April 22, 2009

Once upon a time in the world of retail and consumer marketing, Made in the USA meant the cutting edge. All the best practices in consumer promotion and branding originated in the good old U.S of A. But not any longer.

Back by popular demand, global research expert and trend spotter, Lucy Johnston took us on a journey through some of the most imaginative and creative practices in retail and consumer branding, promotion, packaging, design and merchandising. Backed up with incisive and passionate commentary, Lucy presented a vivid video portfolio of all that she sees in her 52 weeks on the road, recording the most innovative trends and practices in the worlds of retail and hospitality as practiced around the globe.

The event was hosted by the Campton Place Hotel

Photography by M. Christine Torrington Photography www.sfphotopro.com

Lucy Johnston, Executive Editor, Global Innovation Report

Stephen Myers, Duckhorn Wine Company

The Luxury Marketing Council of San Francisco presented Faces, a showing of selected works by Gregory J. Furman.

April 3, 2009

This event was held at Candace Barnes Antiques

Photography by Debbie Norton Nucifora

Greg Furman instructs canine connoisseur, Della, on the fine points of modern art

Sensational team members from Gaul Searson and Shears &Window

Conversations With Leaders in Luxury … Eleanor Coppola

April 23, 2009

The first family of American cinema is now a pre-eminent family of luxury lifestyle. From films to wines to luxury resorts, “Coppola” is not just a family name, but a global lifestyle brand that continues to grow in rank, authority and appeal.

Eleanor Coppola, family matriarch and mediator, artist, author and Renaissance woman, permitted us a rare entree into the Coppola family. In this intimate interview, she traced the history of the Coppola brand, explained its intense bond to family, and provided a tantalizing glimpse into its evolving future.

The event was hosted by Gumps

Photography by Jay Cellini (415-386-3130)

Sandra Jordan & Eleanor Coppola

Josh & Carol Harris, Owners, Rustic Bakery

Tara Voorhis (Gumps) & Trish Langfitt (LuxLife Media) browsing copies of LuxLife Magazine

The Rubicon Estate team...the evening's wine sponsor

Alpha Agent Seminar: “San Francisco Bay Real Estate…Where is it Headed?”

May 21, 2009

In this unique, view-from-the-top discussion, the heads of seven leading Bay Area real estate firms, respected industry leaders who, more than anyone else, are finely attuned to the vagaries, challenges and opportunities of the current marketplace, delivered hard-hitting opinion, candid assessment and insight about Bay Area real estate and where it’s headed.

The event was held at One Rincon Hill and featured:

Bob Dadurka
President & CEO
Paragon Real Estate Group

William Drypolcher, CRB
President
Zephyr Real Estate

Avram Goldman
President & CEO
Pacific Union Real Estate

Larry Knapp
President & COO
Alain Pinel Realtors

Charles Moore
CEO
McGuire Real Estate

James Nunemacher
Principal
Vanguard Properties

Noreen Smith
President
Frank Howard Allen Realtors

Photography by Jay Cellini (415-386-3130)

Malcolm Kaufman (McGuire Real Estate) Ann Dykstra (One Rincon Hill) & James Winans (McGuire Real Estate)

The team from JAQK Cellars

Paul Zeger (Pacific Marketing Associates) welcomes members and guests

Charles Moore (McGuire Real Estate) shares insights and keen market observations as Avram Goldman (Pacific Union GMAC Real Estate) and Noreen Smith (Frank Howard Allen) Realtors listen intently